JP2754015B2 - Ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a ball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, and the like. The present invention relates to a ball game machine configured to be able to output detection information regarding a detection means to an external device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, among detection information used for game control of a ball-and-ball game machine, information transmitted to an external device such as a host computer on a game arcade has a total number of supply balls and a total number of driving balls. Because it was too long, it is only necessary to set a counter on the supply path of the ball to the ball game machine and the return path from the ball game machine, and the information is transmitted directly from each ball game machine to the external device I didn't have to.

However, when trying to obtain information on the number of winnings to the starting winning opening and the like for reference when adjusting nails, for example, conventionally, an external output terminal for that purpose has not been provided in the ball game machine, You have to remodel a ball-and-ball game machine,
For this reason, there are disadvantages in that the wiring becomes complicated, and that the remodeling for information collection is performed by the game arcade to illegally operate the game control externally.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, the control circuit incorporated in the ball game machine
It is conceivable to configure as shown in the figure. That is, a detection signal from the detecting means 1 'including a start winning ball detector or the like is input to the input section 4' of the game control means 3 'via the connection terminal plate 7'. Then, based on this input signal, the MPU 5 ′
Performs a predetermined control such as a calculation, and outputs a control signal from the output unit 6 'to perform game control of the ball-and-ball game machine. Then, the detection signal from the detection means 1 'input to the connection terminal plate 7' is branched and output to an external device 2 'from an external output terminal 7a' as an example of an external output unit. Is also transmitted to the game arcade side.

However, in the case of such a configuration, when the game arcade outputs an illegal operation signal from the external device 2 'to the external output terminal 7a' in order to illegally control the ball game machine, the illegal operation is performed. The signal enters the game control means 3 'through the same path as the input path of the detection signal from the detection means 1'. A new problem arises in that the game is controlled by the game. As a result, there is a disadvantage that it becomes more difficult for the game arcade to detect fraud.

In other words, on condition that the ball hits the start winning area, the electric gaming device starts a game operation and can generate a game state advantageous to the player depending on the result of the game operation. Since the interest of the player is likely to be focused on the gaming operation of the electric gaming device, information indicating that a prize has been detected regarding the start of the gaming operation of the electric gaming device can be output to an external device so that the management of the gaming facility can be performed. However, if the information is poorly output from the ball-and-ball game machine to an external device, an illegal signal is input to the information output line and the operation of the ball-and-ball game machine is illegally controlled. A new disadvantage arises in that it allows for such misconduct.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to obtain information indicating that a prize has been detected with respect to the start of a game operation of an electric game apparatus, while at the same time obtaining illegal information on a game arcade side. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine capable of preventing control.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention according to claim 1 is a ball game machine in which a game is played by driving a payout ball into a game area, and the game operation is performed electrically. An electric game device capable of generating a game state advantageous to the player depending on the result of the game, and a starting winning ball detecting means for detecting that a hit ball has won a starting winning area provided in the game area. Having an information input unit and an information output unit, and performing control to start the gaming operation of the electric gaming apparatus on condition that a detection output of the starting winning ball detection unit is input to the information input unit. A game control computer that outputs information indicating that a prize is detected regarding the start of a game operation of the electric gaming device from the information output unit, and the information that is output from the information output unit is output to an external device. Wherein the game control computer is configured not to accept the input signal even if a signal is input to an information output line connected to the information output unit, The information communication between the control computer and the external device is configured to be one-way communication from the game control computer to the external device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the game control computer may be configured such that an input signal input to the information input unit is appropriately determined by the starting winning ball detection means. Input signal appropriateness determining means for determining whether the signal is a detection signal or any other abnormal signal, and the electric game is provided on condition that the input signal appropriateness determining means determines that the signal is a proper start winning ball detection signal. A game operation start control of the device and an output control of information from the information output unit are performed.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in the above, a means for detecting a winning ball, the detection signal of which is used for control to end a game state advantageous to the player, a winning ball detection means, The game control computer further includes an abnormality detection unit that detects that an abnormality has occurred in the unit, even when a ball hits the start winning prize area when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit. And a detection output of the starting winning ball detection means is not received.

[Operation] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, it is possible to generate an advantageous game state for the player depending on the result of the game operation by the function of the electric game device that performs the electronic game operation. Become. By the function of the start winning prize ball detecting means, it is detected that a winning ball has won the starting prize winning area provided in the game area. By the operation of the game control computer having an information input section and an information output section, the electric gaming device starts a game operation on condition that a detection output of the starting winning ball detection means is input to the information input section. The information output unit outputs information indicating that a prize detection relating to the start of a game operation of the electric gaming apparatus has been performed. An external output unit for outputting information output from the information output unit to an external device is provided. The game control computer is configured not to receive the input signal even if a signal is input to an information output line connected to the information output unit, and the game control computer and the external device Is configured to be one-way communication from the game control computer to the external device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the first aspect of the present invention, the input signal input to the information input unit is changed by the function of the input signal propriety determining means in the game control computer. It is determined whether the signal is an appropriate detection signal by the starting winning ball detection means or another abnormal signal. Then, under the condition that it is determined that the signal is a proper start winning prize ball detection signal, a game operation start control of the electric game apparatus and an output control of information from the information output unit are performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, a game in which a detection signal of a winning ball detecting means for detecting a winning ball is released to the player. Used for control to end the state. By the function of the abnormality detecting means, it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the winning ball detecting means. Due to the operation of the game control computer, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the detection output of the start prize ball detection means is received by the game control computer even if a ball is hit in the start prize winning area. I can't. As a result, when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means, the progress of the game accompanying the start of the game operation of the electric gaming device is stopped, and the winning detection regarding the start of the game operation of the electric game device is detected. Information is not output externally.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of a control circuit used in a ball game machine according to the present invention.

A detection signal from the detection means 1 including a start winning ball detector and the like is input to the input section 4 of the game control means 3 via the connection terminal plate 7.
Is input to The detection information input to the input unit 4 is supplied to the MPU 5, and the MPU 5 performs control such as calculation based on the detection information, and outputs a control signal from the output unit 6 to perform game control of the ball game machine. . On the other hand, the output unit 6 also outputs detection information on the detection means 1, and outputs an output signal from the external output terminal 7 a as an example of the external output unit to the external device 2 via the connection terminal plate 7. The external device 2 is a central management device (host computer) or the like installed in the game arcade, and the game arcade side manages the game arcade based on the detection information output from the external output terminal 7a. Becomes possible. For example, when the detecting means 1 is a start winning ball detector, the occurrence of a start winning is transmitted to the external device 2, and based on the information, the game site determines the frequency of the starting winning. It is possible to calculate and perform nail adjustment of a pachinko game machine which is an example of a ball game machine provided with the start winning ball detector. The output signal of the detection means 1 may be directly inputted to the game control means 3 without passing through the connection terminal plate 7.

FIG. 2 is an overall front view showing a pachinko gaming machine 10 which is an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine which is an example of a ball game machine will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Includes all those that play games by hitting balls, such as coin gaming machines.

A front frame 12 is mounted on a machine frame 11 of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and a glass door frame 14 is rotatably mounted on a door holding frame 13 provided on the front frame 12. A transparent glass plate is incorporated in the glass door frame 14, and the game area 27 is opened and closed by the glass door frame 14. Further, a door opening detector 15 for detecting the opening of the glass door frame 14 is provided.

An operation handle 22 is provided at a lower position of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and the operation of the operation handle 22 by a player causes a pachinko ball to be driven into the game area 27. In the game area 27, a variable display device 28 is provided at the center position, and a variable winning ball device 31 is provided below the variable display device 28. The variable winning ball device 28 includes a plurality (three in the drawing) of variable display units 28a, 28b,
28c, so that a plurality of types of identification information can be variably displayed. In the present embodiment, the variable display device 28 and the variable winning ball device 31 are configured as separate components, but both devices may be configured as an integrated device. The pachinko ball driven into the game area 27 by operating the operation handle 22 starts the winning opening 36.
a, 36b, or 36c, if the player wins, the variable display device 2
The variable display 8 starts variable display, and the variable display of the variable display device 28 is stopped by the pressing operation of the stop switch 20 or the lapse of a certain time without the stop switch 20 being pressed. When the identification information displayed by the stopped variable display device 28 becomes a predetermined specific combination (for example, 777), a specific game state is established, and the opening and closing plate 32 of the variable winning ball device 31 is set. Is opened and a big hit state is established. In the open state of the variable winning ball device 31,
Pachinko balls can be won in the winning space of the variable winning ball device 31. In the winning space of the variable winning ball device 31, a specific winning opening (V pocket) 33 and normal winning openings 34a and 34b are provided.

The game area 27 is further provided with normal winning ports 37, 38, and the pachinko ball wins the normal winning ports 34, 34b in the normal winning ports 37, 38 or the variable winning ball device 31. Then, a predetermined amount of prize balls are paid out from the prize ball outlet 18 into the hit ball supply tray 17. When the prize balls in the hit ball supply tray 17 are full and can no longer be stored, the prize balls are paid out from the surplus prize ball discharge port 24 into the surplus prize ball tray 23. In the figure, reference numeral 39 denotes an out mouth, a game area.
If the pachinko ball hit in 27 falls without winning, it is for collecting the out ball. In the drawing, reference numeral 26a denotes a hit ball guiding rail for guiding a pachinko ball shot based on the operation of the operation handle 22 into the game area 27. 26b is a game area forming rail forming the game area 27. Furthermore, reference numerals 40 and 41 denote game effect lamps, which are lit or blinked in accordance with the occurrence of the specific game state and enliven the atmosphere of the game, or are lit or blinked in response to the occurrence of an abnormal situation to notify the abnormal situation. Is what you do. Reference numeral 19 denotes a speaker for generating a sound effect when the specific game state occurs or for generating an alarm sound when an abnormal situation occurs. Reference numeral 16 denotes a front plate, and reference numeral 21 denotes a mounting substrate also serving as a decorative plate. Reference numeral 35 denotes a winning number display, which displays the number of winning balls in the variable winning ball device 31 being opened. 30 is a starting prize memory display,
This is for displaying the number of start winnings stored with the pachinko ball starting winning. Reference numeral 29 denotes a number-of-openings indicator for displaying the number of times the opening and closing plate 32 of the variable winning ball device 31 is opened.

FIG. 3 is an overall rear view of the pachinko gaming machine showing an internal structure mainly for explaining various devices related to winning balls. FIG. 4 is an overall rear view of the pachinko gaming machine showing an internal structure mainly for explaining electric wiring.

A hit ball launching device 51 that operates in response to the operation of the operation handle 22 (FIG. 2) is provided below the pachinko gaming machine 10. The hitting ball launching device 51 includes a hitting motor 52, a driving blade 53 rotated by the hitting motor 52, a lever 54 abutting on the driving blade 53, and a lever 54 integrally formed with the lever 54 to rotate the driving blade 53. The striking ball 55 is intermittently rocked, and an interlocking elevating body 56 is moved up and down in conjunction with the intermittent rocking of the ball 55. The interlocking elevating body 56 is for operating a hit ball supply mechanism (not shown) to supply pachinko balls one by one to a hit ball firing position.

The pachinko ball hit by the hit ball launching device 51 and winning in the winning opening 37 is guided on a winning ball collecting gutter 62 and the prize ball dispenser 61 is operated for each winning ball by the winning ball processor 63,
It is configured to pay out a predetermined number (for example, 13) of prize balls. The winning balls that have passed through the winning ball processing unit 63 are discharged outside the machine through the winning ball processing passage 64. The premium ball in the premium ball storage tank 58 is supplied to the premium ball dispenser 61. That is, the prize balls in the prize ball storage tank 58 are arranged in two rows by the alignment gutter 59, and are supplied into the prize ball dispenser 61 through the curve gutter 60.

In the drawing, reference numeral 44 denotes a winning ball aggregate cover body,
The pachinko ball that has won the prize ball is guided on the prize ball collecting gutter 62, or the pachinko ball that has won the starting prize hole 36a, 36b, 36c is detected by the starting prize ball detector 47a, 47b, 47c, respectively, and then the prize ball is detected. This is for guiding on the collecting gutter 62. The start winning ball detectors 47a, 47b, 47c constitute the detecting means 1 shown in FIG. Further, the pachinko balls that have been won from the winning opening 38 are also guided on the winning ball collecting gutter 62, and the pachinko balls that have won in the variable winning ball device 31 are also detected on the winning ball collecting gutter 62 after being detected by the 10-count detector 50. It is led to. In addition, the pachinko ball which has won the specific winning opening (V pocket) 33 (see FIG. 2) in the variable winning ball device 31 has a V
10 count detector after being detected by winning ball detector 49
It is detected by 50 and finally guided on the winning ball collecting gutter 62.

In the figure, reference numeral 45 denotes a variable display device main body, which is variably displayed by a motor 46. 39 is an out port. Out balls that have been driven into the game area and have not won any of the winning ports fall into this out port and are discharged out of the machine through the out ball path 65. Reference numeral 48 denotes a solenoid as an example of an electric drive source for opening and closing the open / close plate 32 (see FIG. 2) of the variable winning ball device 31. Reference numeral 15 denotes a door opening detector, 7 denotes a connection terminal plate A, and 67 denotes a connection terminal plate B.

The game board 25 provided with the prize ball collecting cover body 44 and the variable display device main body 45 and the like is attached and detached by the game board fixing member 43 to the front frame 12 which is attached to the machine frame 11 in a detachable or openable manner. Mounted freely. That is, the game board fixing member 43 is configured to be rotatable as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the game board fixing member 43 is turned to
By releasing the lock on the game board 25, the game board 25 can be removed from the game board mounting frame 42, and by replacing only the game board 25 when replacing the pachinko machine at the game hall, it is possible to reduce the cost associated with the replacement. There is an advantage of becoming.

Next, the wiring of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 68 denotes a frame connection terminal plate C, which is provided on the mechanism plate 57. The connection terminal plate C68 for the frame is connected to a solenoid 70 for simultaneously opening the glass doors of the door opening detector 15, the ball hitting motor 52, and the ball breaking detector 69. The ball break detector 69 is for detecting that the pachinko balls flowing down the alignment gutter 59 have disappeared.

In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes a connection terminal plate A for a game board, which is provided on the game board. As will be described later, various devices provided on the game board such as a solenoid for driving a variable winning ball device and various detectors such as a starting winning ball detector are connected to the connection terminal plate A7. . Furthermore, this connection terminal plate A7
It is connected to the control board box 71 and to the external device 2 (see FIG. 1) via the external output terminal 7a. The external output terminal 7a is configured to be connected to an external device by wiring so that detection information on the detecting means 1 (see FIG. 1) is output to the external device through the wiring. Without connecting by electric wiring, transmitting the radio wave including the detection information and transmitting the detection information to an external device or emitting light including the detection information and transmitting the information to the external device. May be used.

In the figure, reference numeral 67 denotes a connection terminal plate B for a game board, which is provided on the game board by being attached below the variable display device main body 45. As will be described later, the connection terminal plate B67 is connected to a projector and a light receiver for the variable display device, a motor 46 for the variable display device, and the like, and further connected to the control board box 71. I have. As described above, in the present embodiment, the connection terminal boards are divided into the game board and the frame, and the connection terminal boards A (7) and B (67) for the game board are provided on the game board. Since the C68 is provided on the mechanism panel 57, there is an advantage that when replacing only the game board, the work related to the frame connection terminal plate 68 is not required, and the wiring work can be completed with the minimum necessary steps.

In the figure, 58 is a prize ball storage tank, 60 is a curve gutter, 43 is a game board fixing member, 55 is a hitting ball frame, 56 is an interlocking elevating body, 11 is a machine frame, and 12 is a front frame.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the pachinko gaming machine. The microcomputer 3 as an example of the game control means has a function of controlling the operation of the entire pachinko gaming machine 10 as described below. For this purpose, the microcomputer 3 has, for example, an LS of several chips.
I includes an MPU 5 capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure, a ROM 81 storing operation program data of the MPU 5, and a RAM 82 capable of writing and reading necessary data. .

Further, the microcomputer 3 receives the input signal and
An input circuit 4 that is an example of an input unit that supplies input data to the MPU 5, an output circuit 6 that is an example of an output unit that receives output data from the MPU 5 and outputs the data to the outside, and a sound generator 85 that receives sound data from the MPU 5. , A power-on reset circuit 86 that supplies a reset pulse to the MPU 5 when the power is turned on,
A clock generating circuit 87 for providing a clock signal to U5; a pulse dividing circuit (periodic reset circuit) 88 for dividing the clock signal from the clock generating circuit 87 and periodically (for example, every 4 msec) to provide the MPU 5 with a reset pulse. , Address decoding circuit 89 for decoding address data from MPU 5.

The address decode circuit 89 decodes address data from the MPU 5 and supplies a chip select signal to each of the ROM 81, the RAM 82, the input circuit 4, the output circuit 6, and the sound generator 85.

In this embodiment, a programmable ROM is used for the ROM 81 so that its contents can be rewritten, that is, if necessary, the program data for the MPU 5 stored therein can be changed. Have been. Then, the MPU 5 provides control signals to various devices in accordance with the program data stored in the ROM 81 and in response to the input of each control signal described below.

The microcomputer 3 receives the following signals as input signals.

When the player presses the stop switch 20 (see FIG. 2), the stop operation signal is given to the microcomputer 3 via the stop switch circuit 90. Start winning prize ball detector 47a, 47b, 47 associated with pachinko ball starting prize
In response to the turning on of c, a start winning ball detection signal passing through the connection terminal plate A7 is given to the microcomputer 3 via the starting winning ball detection circuit 91. This start winning ball detector
Predetermined detection means 1 (see FIG. 1) of the detection means used for game control is constituted by 47a, 47b, and 47c. Detection information relating to the predetermined detection means 1 is transmitted to the external device 2 (see FIG. 1) as described later. The detection information output to the external device 1 is transmitted to the input circuit 4 such as detection information from a V winning ball detector 49, detection information from a 10 count detector 50, or light reception signals from the light receivers 72a to 72e. Any other information may be used as long as the information is input. Further, for example, information other than the detection information such as big hit information and opening / closing plate opening information may be output.

Next, in response to the pachinko ball winning in the specific winning opening (V pocket), a detection signal from the V winning ball detector 49 passes through the connection terminal plate A7 and is input to the V winning ball detecting circuit 92. The V winning ball detection circuit 92 supplies a V winning ball detection signal to the microcomputer 3. The detection output of the 10-count detector 50 passes through the connection terminal plate A7 and the 10-count detection circuit
In response to the input to the microcomputer 93, a 10-count detection signal is supplied from the 10-count detection circuit 93 to the microcomputer 3. In response to the detection signals of the light receivers 72a to 72e provided in the variable display device 31 (see FIG. 2) being passed to the light receiver circuit 94 through the connection terminal board B67, the light receiver circuit
From 94, a light receiving signal is given to the microcomputer 3. By the input of the light receiving signal, the microcomputer 3 is given information on the display mode when the variable display units 28a, 28b, 28c in the variable display device 31 are stopped.

The microcomputer 3 gives control signals to the following circuits and devices. First, via the floodlight circuit 95,
A control signal for turning on the projector is supplied to the projectors 73a to 73e through the connection terminal plate B67. A motor drive signal is applied to the motor 46 via the connection terminal plate B67 via the motor circuit 96. Further, a solenoid drive signal is given to each of the drum solenoids A (74a), B (74b), and C (74c) through the connection terminal plate B67 via the solenoid circuit 97. And
The motor 46 and each of the drum solenoids 74a to 74c are controlled by the microcomputer 3 so that
The variable display device 28 (see FIG. 2) is controlled so as to be in a variable display state or in a state where the variable display is stopped.

The microcomputer 3 includes a solenoid circuit 98
, A solenoid drive signal is given to the solenoid 48 through the connection terminal plate A7. The excitation of the solenoid 48 is controlled by the microcomputer 3 to control the opening and closing of the variable prize ball device 31 (see FIG. 2). A control signal for lighting the lamp is supplied to the lamps 40, 41, 75, and 76 via the connection terminal plate A7 via the lamp circuit 99. These lamps may be LEDs. Further, a control signal for turning on the V winning display LED 77 and the LED 78 is derived through the LED circuit 101 and the connection terminal plate A7. LED circuit 1
A control signal for displaying the start winning prize memory display 30 is derived via 01 and the connection terminal plate A7. Through the digital display drive circuit 102 and the connection terminal plate A7, a control signal for digitally displaying the opening number display 29 and the winning number display 35 is derived. Via the information output circuit 103 and the connection terminal plate A7, detection information relating to the predetermined detection means 1 is output to an external device. Further, a control signal for generating a sound from the speaker 19 via the amplifier 104 is derived. Each circuit having the above configuration includes a power supply circuit 105.
Supplies a predetermined direct current. The portion surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
This is a circuit housed in a control board 71 ′ housed in the control board 71 ′.

6A to 6C are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the control circuit of FIG.

Next, specific operations of the pachinko gaming machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6C.

First, the processing of the main routine is shown in FIG. 6A. This main routine is executed once for each reset pulse according to a reset pulse periodically (eg, every 4 msec) from the pulse frequency dividing circuit 88.
First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a RAM error has occurred. Then, when the power is turned on and when the program runs out of control, YES is determined in step S1, and the process proceeds to step S2, and after the process of setting the initial data is performed, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when the power is not turned on and the program does not run away, a NO determination is made in step S1 and the process proceeds to step S3 without performing the process in step S2. In step S3, a subroutine control process, which will be described later, is performed, and the flow advances to step S4 to output data and wait for a reset.

FIG. 6B shows the subroutine control processing in step S3.

First, a sound / lamp / LED control process in step S5 is executed, and then, in step S6, a number-of-openings indicator control process for displaying the number of times the variable winning ball device is opened is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S7. A winning number display control process for displaying the winning number of pachinko balls on the variable winning ball device is performed. Next step
Proceeding to S8, it is determined whether or not the game prohibition flag A or B is set. This game prohibition flag A
If no winning ball is detected during one opening of the variable winning ball device in the big hit state based on the specific gaming state,
Alternatively, it is set when the V winning is detected but is not detected by the 10-count detector within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). Normally, it is not considered that no pachinko ball wins during one opening of the variable winning ball device in the big hit state, and if a V win is detected, the pachinko ball is always detected by a 10-count detector immediately after that. If one of the pachinko balls is not detected or if the detection by the 10-count detector is not performed, an abnormality such as the 10-count detector being pulled out or malfunctioning is detected. Since a situation is considered, the game prohibition flag A is set to deal with the abnormal situation. The game prohibition flag B indicates that the 10-count detector has been turned on for a certain period of time (for example, 3 seconds) due to disconnection (or short-circuit) of the 10-count detector or jamming.
This is set when it remains ON as described above, and is intended to cope with an abnormal situation such as disconnection (or short-circuit) of the 10-count detector or clogging. If it is determined in step S8 that the game prohibition flag A or B has been set, the process proceeds to step S9
Alternatively, the game is disabled without performing the processing of step S13, and the process directly proceeds to step S14, where a check processing of the 10-count detector is performed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, where control processing of the variable display is performed. Next, proceeding to step S10, after performing the processing of the solenoid control of the variable winning ball device, proceeding to step S11, the control processing of the starting winning storage display is performed, the check processing of the starting winning ball detector described below by step S12. Then, a check process of the V winning ball detector is performed in step S13, the process of step S14 is performed, and the subroutine ends. Note that the processes in steps S5 to S7 and steps S9 to S11 and step S13 are controls that are not directly related to the present invention, and thus description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

Next, a subroutine program of the start winning ball detector check process defined in the step S12,
This will be described with reference to FIG. 6C.

First, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the start winning ball detector has been turned ON. And if it is determined that the starting winning ball detector is not ON, the step
Proceeding to S22, the subroutine program is terminated after clearing the start winning ball detector check counter, but the pachinko balls win in the starting winning ports 36a, 36b, 36c (see FIG. 2) and the starting winning ball detectors 47a, 47b. , 47c (see FIG. 3), if a pachinko ball is detected, Y is determined in step S15.
After the determination of ES is made, the process proceeds to step S16, and it is determined whether or not the start winning ball detector check counter is MAX. This MAX is a value set in a range of not less than “3” and not more than a maximum value (for example, “255” in the case of 8 bits) according to the number of allocated bits. In the determination in step S16, when the ON state of the starting winning ball detector is continued due to a jam or the like, counting is performed exceeding the maximum value of the number of allocated bits based on the process in step S17 described below. At the next count, the value of the start winning ball detector check counter becomes “0” at the next count, and although the starting winning ball detector only keeps ON state,
This is for preventing an erroneous determination of determining that two prizes have been won. Then, if it is determined in step S16 that the start winning ball detector check counter has reached MAX, the subroutine program ends as it is, but if it is determined that it has not yet reached MAX, the process proceeds to step S17. Then, a process of incrementing the start winning ball detector check counter by one is performed. Next, in step S18, it is determined whether or not the start winning ball detector check counter is "2". And "2"
If not, the subroutine program is terminated as it is, but if it is determined to be "2", the process proceeds to step S19, in which control associated with the start winning of the pachinko ball is performed. As described above, it is determined that the pachinko ball start winning is generated only when the value of the start winning ball detector check counter becomes “2” instead of “1”, and the control associated therewith is performed. In spite of no pachinko ball starting winning due to noise or the like occurring in the game hall, there is a case where it is erroneously determined that the starting winning ball detector is turned on by step S15, and such erroneous determination is made. This is to prevent the accompanying erroneous control as much as possible.

Next, in step S19, it is determined whether or not the start winning storage counter is "4". This step S1
The determination made in step 9 is to prevent the start winning prize memory from being further stored since the upper limit of the start winning prize memory counter is set to 4, and the process proceeds to step S20 only when the value is less than "4". If the start winning memory counter is incremented by one, and if it has already become "4", a determination of YES is made in step S19 and step S20 is performed without performing the adding process in step S20.
Proceed to 21. In step S21, start winning winning output data is set, and the starting winning output data is output to the external device 2 (see FIG. 1) in step S4. In addition,
As in this embodiment, every time it is determined that there is a start winning of a pachinko ball, information on the starting winning is output to an external device, but the MPU 5 of the pachinko gaming machine performs data aggregation. Alternatively, the aggregated information may be output to an external device, in which case there is an advantage that the external device can be simplified. In addition, the MP
At the time of data collection by U5, for example, predetermined conditions such as counting only winnings that are valid in the game control may be performed.

In this embodiment, the ball game machine with the variable display device is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the variable prize ball device is provided with a predetermined number of times (for example, once Or twice) open and close, during which a ball hitting the variable prize ball device may generate a big hit state if it hits a specific winning area, or if the hit ball wins a specific winning opening, the right is won. When the hit ball is generated and the hit ball wins again, the right is extinguished, in which the variable winning ball device is opened for 10 seconds or until the number of hit balls reaches 10 with the start winning of the hit ball during the right generation. May be.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a ball is borrowed when playing a game, and a game played with the ball is taken up. Using a data recording medium on which ball data is recorded, the recording medium is applied to a ball-and-ball game machine so that a game can be played with a ball and ball built into the ball-and-ball game machine so that a player does not carry a ball with the ball. May be. Also, in this case, instead of paying out the prize ball due to a hit ball or the like, the prize ball score to which the points are sequentially added is displayed, and the score, that is, the prize ball data is recorded on the recording medium. Thus, it may be configured in place of the possessed ball.

The variable display device 28 or the variable prize ball device that opens and closes once or twice in accordance with the starting prize described above electrically performs a game operation and generates a game state advantageous to the player depending on the result of the game operation. An electric game device that can be operated is configured. Start winning ball detector 47a,
The start winning prize ball detecting means for detecting that a hit ball has won the starting prize winning area provided in the game area is constituted by 47b and 47c. The input unit 4 constitutes an information input unit, and the output unit 6 constitutes an information output unit. The microcomputer 3 has an information input unit and an information output unit, and starts the game operation of the electric gaming apparatus on condition that a detection output of the starting winning ball detection unit is input to the information input unit. A game control computer is configured to perform control and to output from the information output unit information indicating that a prize is detected regarding the start of a game operation of the electric game apparatus.

The computer for game control is configured not to receive an input signal even if a signal is input to an information output line connected to the information output unit (see FIG. 1 and the like). Further, information communication between the game control computer and the external device 2 is configured to be one-way communication from the game control computer to the external device 2.

The steps S17 and S18 constitute an input signal suitability judging means for judging whether the input signal inputted to the information input section is a proper detection signal by the starting winning ball detecting means or an abnormal signal other than the above. Then, the computer for game control determines that the input signal suitability determination signal is a proper start winning prize ball detection signal (S18).
, On the condition that a determination of YES has been made), the game operation start control of the electric game machine and the output control from the information output unit (S21) are performed.

The 10-count detector 50 constitutes a means for detecting a winning ball, and a winning ball detecting means for use in control for terminating a game state in which the detection signal is advantageous to the player. The S8 constitutes an abnormality detecting means for detecting that an abnormality has occurred in the winning ball detecting means. Then, as shown in FIG.6B, when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means, the game control computer controls the start winning prize ball detecting means even if the hit ball wins in the start winning area. Does not accept detection output.

[Effect of the Invention] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, information indicating that a prize has been detected regarding the start of a game operation of an electric game apparatus of interest to the player is externally output. The amusement arcade can obtain information that will be an important barometer for the entertainment of the game. In addition, the start winning detection signal is input to the game control computer, and once passed through the game control computer, the information output from the game control computer is performed as information indicating that a winning detection regarding the start of the game operation of the electric game machine has been made. Unit to output to the outside, and even if a signal is input to the information output line connected to the information output unit, the input signal is configured not to be received by the game control computer. An illegal operation signal can be prevented from entering the game control computer not only from the information input unit but also from the information output unit to prevent inconvenience of illegal operation, thereby preventing illegal control of the ball game machine by the game hall as much as possible. Was.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, a game operation of the electric game apparatus is performed on condition that an appropriate detection signal is inputted by the starting winning ball detecting means. Since the start control and the output control of the information from the information output unit are performed, the malfunction of the electric gaming apparatus and the erroneous information from the information output unit when an abnormal high voltage signal such as noise is input are performed. Performing output control can be prevented as much as possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, a game associated with the start of a game operation of the electric game apparatus with an abnormality occurring in the winning ball detection means. Can be prevented, and information indicating that a prize has been electrically detected for the start of a game operation of the gaming device has been externally output even though the progress of the game has been stopped due to the occurrence of an abnormality. The output inconvenience can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining a control circuit used in a ball game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall front view showing a pachinko game machine which is an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine showing an internal structure mainly for explaining various devices related to a winning ball. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine showing an internal structure mainly for explaining a wiring state. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine. 6A to 6C are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a comparative example and illustrating a control circuit used in a ball game machine. In the figure, 1 is a detecting means, 2 is an external device, 10 is a pachinko game machine which is an example of a ball game machine, 3 is a microcomputer which is an example of a game control means, 7 is a connection terminal plate, 7a is an external output unit An external output terminal 47a, 47b, 47c, which is an example, is a start winning ball detector.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, wherein the game operation is performed electrically to generate an advantageous game state for a player depending on the result of the game operation. An electrical gaming device capable of performing, a starting winning ball detecting means for detecting that a hit ball has won a starting winning area provided in the gaming area, an information input unit and an information output unit, Under the condition that the detection output of the starting winning ball detection means is input to the information input unit, the control to start the game operation of the electric game device is performed, and the prize detection relating to the start of the game operation of the electric game device is performed. A game control computer that outputs information indicating that the information is output from the information output unit; and an external output unit that outputs information output from the information output unit to an external device. The computer is configured not to receive the input signal even if a signal is input to an information output line connected to the information output unit, and the information communication between the game control computer and the external device is performed. And a ball game machine configured to perform one-way communication from the game control computer to the external device. 2. The game control computer according to claim 1, wherein said input signal inputted to said information input section is an input signal propriety judging means for judging whether it is a proper detection signal by said starting prize ball detecting means or an abnormal signal other than said detection signal. Having the input signal suitability determination means determined to be a proper start winning ball detection signal, on the condition that the game operation start control of the electric gaming device and the output control of the information from the information output unit, The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A means for detecting a prize ball, wherein the detection signal is used for control for terminating a game state which is advantageous to the player, and an abnormality occurs in the prize ball detection means. Abnormality detecting means for detecting that the start winning prize ball, even if a hit ball wins in the start winning area, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means, The ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a detection output of the detection means is not received.